The Nigerian Army (NA) has debunked a fabricated video clip in circulation on social media that portrayed the capture of an armoured vehicle by Turji Bello, an infamous terrorist leader in North-West Nigeria.
Footage analysis showed that it was an occurrence in Burkina Faso that has been regurgitated on social media over the years. NA urges the public to be wary of misinformation and propaganda employed by terrorists, aimed at precipitating fear and disrupting the peace and security of our nation.
Chronicle NG reports that Onyema Nwachukwu, Nigerian Army PRO, said this on Thursday in a statement.
The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a viral, unsubstantiated, and apparently fabricated video clip circulating on social media, portraying the stage-managed capture of the Nigerian Army Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) by Turji Bello, one of the infamous terrorist leaders in North-West Nigeria.
The NA wishes to emphatically state that there was no such incident that involved the capture of any of its APCs within the theatre of operations in the North West, as mischievously and falsely portrayed in the video.
Analysis of the video clip reveals that the video was doctored, as NA vehicles, including APCs, have NA inscribed on the number plates, which is conspicuously missing on the reportedly captured APC in the video.
Additionally, on our record, the entire event captured in the footage was not an occurrence that took place at any point in time within the shores of Nigeria; rather, available data points to it as an event that occurred in Burkina Faso some time in 2021. Further investigation showed that the same video was posted on Facebook on November 9, 2021.
Furthermore, the NA maintains a high level of vigilance and professionalism in safeguarding its own armoured vehicles by ensuring that they are not compromised by any criminal element.
The NA therefore urges the public to be wary of misinformation and propaganda employed by the terrorists, aimed at precipitating fear and disrupting the peace and security of our nation.
The NA remains committed to protecting the lives and property of our citizens and will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace and stability across the country.
The NA will continue to provide updates on its operations and activities through official channels to ensure accurate and reliable information reaches the public.
The NA appreciates the support and cooperation of the public as we strive to ensure a secure and peaceful Nigeria for all.
